Alcohol & Impotence

Health experts around the world agree that small amounts of alcohol, in particular red wine, can be good for you. Alcohol consumed in moderate amounts can release sexual inhibitions, intensify libido and temporarily enhance feelings of wellbeing and self-esteem. But over-consumption gradually depresses those fleeting moments of euphoria and eventually leads to alcohol impotence. While alcohol may provoke desire, even moderate amounts spoil the capacity to perform

Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence as it is sometimes called, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, and includes the inability to get an erection as a result of sexual stimulation or to lose your erection prior to ejaculation.

Most men will be familiar with the term "brewer's droop" - a temporary form of alcohol impotence that occurs when the average drinker consumes "one too many." However case studies have shown that long-term alcohol abuse can result in irreversible sexual impotence even while a person is sober. Apart from the damage caused to the nervous system by alcoholism, it's believed that the associated decline in physical and psychological health can contribute to this. Up to 80 percent of men who drink heavily are believed to have serious sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction, sterility, or loss of sexual desire.

Alcohol affects the nervous system and impairs the impulses between the brain's pituitary gland and the genitals. The nervous system is responsible for triggering the signals that dilate and relax the blood vessels in the penis, resulting in an erection. Clinical studies have shown that prolonged alcohol abuse causes irreversible damage to the nerves in the penis, which results in alcohol impotence. While a few drinks might temporarily dull inhibitions and anxiety about sexual activity, larger doses (BACs > .06) will lead to loss of sensation, inability to reach orgasm, and temporary impotence. At blood levels between .05 and .10, alcohol retards sexual arousal, at levels above .10, orgasm is inhibited, and levels above .15 can cause temporary impotence

Alcohol also disrupts hormone levels, in particular, testosterone and oestrogen. Low levels of testosterone diminish sexual drive and function. Heavy drinking over a long period of time can irreversibly destroy testicular cells, leaving men with shrunken testicles. Alcohol may also interfere with normal sperm structure and movement by inhibiting the metabolism of Vitamin A, which is essential for sperm development

Excessive drinking also results in behavioral changes that reduce sexual desire and inhibit sexual performance. Concentration and judgment become cloudy and physical activity and movement are impaired. Abuse of alcohol is often associated with other negative factors like smoking, over eating, lack of exercise and drug abuse.

In addition to the physical toxic effects of excess alcohol on the body's tissues, many alcoholics also have significant psychological problems. Depression, stress and anxiety are often cited as reasons for excessive drinking. But these same psychological factors are also leading causes of ED. So it should come as no surprise that heavy drinkers are more susceptible to alcohol induced erectile dysfunction.

Regardless of whether alcohol abuse is caused by physical or psychological factors, the bottom line is that at best excess alcohol leads to chronic sexual under-performance and at worst chronic alcohol impotence.

The most important factor in seeking treatment for alcohol abuse is to acknowledge that a problem exists and that help is available. Many of the adverse physical and psychological effects caused by alcoholism can be reversed or overcome if the problem is treated early enough.

If you found this article interesting please check the other Firstmed articles available.

This information has been brought to you by Firstmed.co.uk, the UK ' s leading online impotence clinic.

If you wish to discuss any of the above issues in more detail, do not hesitate to contact us by email on info@firstmed.co.uk or call +44 (0)870 199 5287

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